Casket-lowering device



(No Model.)

A. 0. RICHARDSON.

GASKET LOWERING DEVICE. NQ. 529,311. Patented Nov. 13, 1894.-

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ALBERT C. RICHARDSON, OF SOUTH FRANKFORT, MICHIGAN.

CASKET-LOWERiNG DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 529,311, dated November 13, 1894.

Application filed May 12, 1894. Serial No. 511.023. (No model.)

.To all whom, zit imty concern.-

Beit known that I, ALBERT C. RICHARDSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Frankfort, in the county of Benzie and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casket-Lowering Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in casket-lowering devices; and the object of my invention is the provision of a simple, durable and inexpensive device adapted to be fitted in the trench or ditch which receives the casket to prevent the dirt from falling from the edges of the ditch and which will lower the casket Without danger of the same falling as is frequently the case with the present manner of lowering Gaskets and which causes such horror to those who respect the dead.

To attain the desired objects the invention consists of a device of the character mentioned embodying novel features of construction, combination and adaptation of parts whereby a practical, useful and economical device is provided as will appear from the following disclosure.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the invention in operative position. Fig. 2 represents a detail view of a portion of the lowering mechanism detached.

In the drawings, the letter A designates the casing or protector of my invention which is preferably made of sheet metal in the form of an open rectangular casing having the rim or flange B, and the casing tits closely in the ditch with the rim'resting on the surface of the ground. By means of this protector or shield the dirt is prevented from falling from the edges of the ditch upon the casket as is now the case. To one side of the casing is secured the frame C, consisting of the standards D, secured a suitable distance apart by means of the top cross-piece E and the blocks F, thus forming the guides or Ways G, in 5o which fit and are adapted to move the ends H of the follower or head H', having the centrally threaded opening J, adapted to receive the traveling screw K, the upper end whereof passes through the cross-piece E, and on which is Secured a crank or crank wheel L. From this construction it will be noticed that the head can be moved in the guide frame by turning the screw and the head is provided with openings M, coincident with which on the upper face are the notches N, and in the openings are arranged the rods O, having at their lower ends the coffin receiving arms O and at their upper ends the enlargements O2, which serve to prevent the rods from turning when in the act of supporting a casket.

When the coffin or casket has been lowered and it is desired to remove the device to allow the ditch to be filled it is simply necessary to disengage the enlargements O2 by means of a suitable grasping instrument and turn the rods to move the arms O out from under the casket, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 2, and the coffin is supported a short distance above the ground to allow the play of the arms.

Then found necessary to employ my invention the casing is fitted in the grave ditch as described and the head with casket supporting arms is elevated to its highest point, that is to be on the level of the surface of the ground. The arms are in the position to receive the casket which is placed on the arms and the screw is slowly turned which gradually lowers the casket into the grave in a perfect manner without danger of the same falling. The upper ends ot' the rods are then detached from the notches and the arms on which the casket rested can be turned in out of the Way and the entire device can then be easily removed leaving the casket deposited in a proper manner and free from the annoyances now existing.

I claiml. The combination of a frame having guides, a head movable in the guides, a traveling screw carried by the frame and connected to the head to move the same, rods carried by the head having enlargements to engage notches in the head and casket supporting arms connected to the rods.

2. The combination of a shield adapted to fit the grave, a frame secured'to the shield and having guides, a head movable in said guides, rods carried by the head and having casket supporting arms, and a traveling screw engaging the head for moving the same.

3. The combination of a shield or casing to fit the grave, a frame secured to the casing and having guides, a head arranged in the guides, rods carried by the head having the casket supporting arms at their lower ends and the locking enlargements at their upper 1'5 ends, and devices for moving the head.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT C. RICHARDSON. Witnesses:

CEAS. D. COLE, O. S. LINKLETTER. 

